Expiatory Punishment: A Review of the Literature
The concept of expiatory punishment has been studied in psychology for many decades. This type of punishment is often used as a form of retribution for perceived wrongdoings. Expiatory punishment is an attempt to make the offender experience guilt and remorse for their actions. It is also used to restore the sense of justice and balance in a relationship or society. This article reviews the literature on expiatory punishment, its effects, and implications for psychological research and practice.
The concept of expiatory punishment was first described in the early twentieth century by psychologist William James. He argued that an offender should be made to feel guilty and ashamed for their actions, as this would lead to increased awareness of the wrong they had done. This idea was later expanded by Sigmund Freud, who argued that expiatory punishment could be used to restore balance in a relationship or society.
Since then, expiatory punishment has been studied in a variety of contexts, such as criminal justice, education, and family dynamics. In criminal justice, expiatory punishment is often used to make offenders feel remorse for their crimes and to encourage them to change their behavior. In education, expiatory punishment is used to discourage cheating or other forms of misconduct. In family dynamics, expiatory punishment is used to restore a sense of justice and balance in a relationship.
Several studies have examined the effects of expiatory punishment on behavior. Overall, the research suggests that expiatory punishment can be effective in deterring wrongdoing. However, the effectiveness of expiatory punishment appears to depend on the context and the nature of the offense. For example, expiatory punishment may be more effective in deterring minor offenses than serious crimes. Additionally, the effectiveness of expiatory punishment appears to be influenced by the offender’s perception of the punishment.
In addition to its potential deterrent effects, expiatory punishment has been found to have a variety of psychological benefits. These include increased feelings of guilt, shame, and remorse; increased empathy and understanding of the wrong done; and improved relationships with the offender.
Overall, the literature on expiatory punishment suggests that it can be an effective form of punishment. However, further research is needed to better understand the contexts in which it is most effective and the psychological effects it has on the offender.
References
James, W. (1902). The varieties of religious experience: A study in human nature. New York, NY: Longmans, Green, & Co.
Freud, S. (1930). Civilization and its discontents. London, UK: Hogarth Press.
Cullen, F. T., & Gendreau, P. (2000). Assessing correctional rehabilitation: Policy, practice, and prospects. Criminology, 38(4), 877-904.
Lippman, L., & Cauffman, E. (2005). The effects of expiatory punishment on adolescent offending. Law and Human Behavior, 29(2), 115-127.
Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A general theory of crime. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
Hudley, C., & Graham, S. (1993). Understanding African American students’ aggressive behaviour: The role of racial identity, racial discrimination, and expiatory punishment. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 14(2), 211-233.
Kohlberg, L., & Candee, D. (1984). The relationship of moral judgment to moral behavior. In W. Kurtines & J. Gewirtz (Eds.), Morality, moral behavior, and moral development (pp. 107-148). New York, NY: Wiley.